Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-25
WITH AN EMPEROR.
Clara Bnrton Describes n HaIf.iIour
Audience with wilhelm.


Dispatch: After the recent meeting OF
the international Red-Cross Congress at
Carlsruhe, the Grand Duke and Grand
Duchess returned, with their court, 10
Baden Baden TO participate in the Gus
tomary birthday festivities of her Ma
jcsty the Empress Of Germany, who was
then in that city. The Emperor, too,
had come so that this historic old town
was for the moment the centre OF in
terest OF the whole fptherland.'
] had tlrried in CarIsruhc where one
morning | received a dispatch informing
me that the Emperor would receive me
next day at O'Clock. My personal
friends will remember that three years
ago l enjoyed q similar honor. So |
soon packed up and WIS on my way to
Baden Baden.
Whoever has visited the interior of the
new castle, the Baden palace of the
Grand Duke, and been shown through
its tasteful apartments, surrounded with
elegance and historic interest, will recall
the place where the interview was to oc
cur.
ALSO o'clock DR.. Hubbell, one Of my
Acknowledgements to the Congress, and
myself were ushered in at the great castle
doors bv attendants in livery of scarlet
and gold, the colOrs Of Baden, and given
seats before a cheerful CRATE fire in re-
ception-room whose walls were hung
with fine oil-paintings. In a few mo-
ments we were escorted into another
magnificent apartment, and were left
quite alone. Through an open door /
could see the aged Emperor, erect and
aiiable, surrounded by guests who had
come to pay their respects TO their august
sovereign.
At length his Majesty turned from the
group about him, and, taking the arm of
the Grand Duchess, came toward us.
1t was hard to believe that the Emperor
was ninety years old, for his step, if not
elastic, was even an steady. When he
reached MS he extended his hand and
said in Fronch
"In the name OF humanity l am
glad to meet and welcome those who
labor so faithfully for the good OF the
race"
PLEASED WITH A MEDAL.
The Grand Duchess spoke very kindly
Of my earlier work, and alluded psrticu-
larly to that memorable winter in
lS7O-'7l which ! passed in Strasburg,
and selecting two from a cluster OF deco
ratlons which | wore in honor of the
present occasion, drew the attention Of
tue Emperor to them. One OF them he
knew quite well, for it was one OF his
own decorations presented 10 me on his
seyenty-ffth birthday. But the other
he had never seen before. 1t was
the beautiful decoration of the
German "Waflengcnossen, the "War-
rior Brothers III Arms" of Mil
waukee, and Iplainly saw that the mon
arch. though puzzled, found something
familiar in it. The iron cross was there,
but it was on the American shield. The
imperial colors were also there, the red,
white, and black OF united Germany in
juxtapositon to the American eagle.
/ The Emperor examined the emblem for
some little time, and then turned in
quiriugly to the Grand Duchess as II
to ask: Does my daughter understand
{ this?
| explained: "This gift comes from
your Maiesty's own soldiers who, after
/ The Franco-German war, went to the
/ United States and became American citi-
Zens This device was intended to ex-
press that by this shield they showed
+ themselves to he Americans, true to the
+ land Of their adoption, while the iron
/ cross meant that they had not forgotten
/ the fatherland. The colors of their
! native country. in defence of which each
/ had risked his life, bound the old home
: to the new, and the American eagle and
arms signifed that ell were still ready to
die for the United States and Germany.
The grand old Emperor smiled kindly
VIXEN l had finished my explanation, and
e9th asked quickly:
"And do they make good citizens OF
the great republic ?"
1.-The best that c)nld be desired"
responded; industrious, honest and
prosperous. And, sire, they are still
yours 10 heart, still true to Germany and
its ruler"
A TOUCHING GOODBYE.
81 am glad to know that" replied
the Emperor "and thank God for true
men everywhere.
His Majesty then began to speak Of
the United States-the rapid growth Of
the country, its wonderful Progress II
all departments Of human activity, anc
especially what We had accomplished II
the field of science. He referred TO the
noble way in which America had taker
ND the Red Cross idea and when l as
sured him that lie WAS held in high es
TEEN in that distant land which he haC
never seen his voice trembled with emo
ton as he said solemnly:
Good be praised for this. All that
have accomplished is due to Him. Ian
only His oil myself / am nothing. HI
makes MS what we are. The Holy Spiri
is over all.
A few moments later he gave a hanC
to both Of us and walked few step
away. Then, extending his hand again
said in French:
at is probably the last time we shal
meet land in pleasanter tone, Il
Englsh)-" Goodbye. "
The aged monarch again took the arm
of the Grand Duchess and walked away
leaving ms with the Grand Duke, one o
the kindest and noblest types of man
hood, who said to us a few agreeabl
parting words.
Thus closed an interview which Ia
left deep impression on my mind ant
heart. and the memory OF which come
back to me clothed in the deepest sad
ness at this moment, when 50 many tel
rible dangers are lowering over the nc
bic house of Hohonzolern.
ssl,---
ATbriffy wtfe's Legacy.
A gentleman in Nevada City, Cal.
had the misfortune few weeks ago t
lose by death his wife. A few weeks az
he visited bank on business and wa
told by the cashier that at the time o
the death of his wife she had accumula
ted and had on deposit in the institution
in her name the sum of $4,000. Tn
widower was thunderstruck and coul'
hardly believe whatthe cashier told him
He soon realized the fact, however
when the cashier gave him certihcat
of deposit for that amount.
Her Husband Thinks IL is Unluchy
TRUTH
She Gust from an afternoons shop
ping and running TO her husbandl
"Pve had such a lovely time. I've Jus
come from Denning's, and / saw tw